Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Ver. 1. Then shall the kingdom of heaven] Our Saviour here continueth his former discourse, and sets it on by a second parable to the same purpose; not so much for the difficulty of the matter, as for our dulness and backwardness to believe and improve it. Moses would have men whet good things upon their children's minds and memories, by going often over them, as the knife doth over the whetstone. a Solomon saith good counsel should be fastened as nails driven home to the head, Ecclesiastes 12:11. Paul holds it profitable to write the same things, though not in the same words, to his Philippians, Matthew 4:1. Peter slacks not to rouse up (διεγειρειν) those to whom he writes, by remembering them of those points wherein they were ready and well-rooted,2 Peter 1:12,13. And Austin adviseth preachers so long to press the same truths, till they read in their hearers' very visage that they resent and relish them.
Unto ten virgins] Virgins without number,Song of Solomon 6:8. Professors at large, good and bad, one with another.
Which took their lamps] The solemnities of marriage were anciently performed and celebrated by night, Luke 12:35; (Plutarch, Problem.), and the bridegroom brought to his lodging by the virgins bearing burning lamps before him.
a Deuteronomy 6:7. Repetere sicut in acuendo. Shanan et Shanab sunt cognata.